Submissions

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Author Guidelines

Guidelines for contributing authors

In addition to invited submissions, we welcome submissions from authors seeking to contribute to the Open Research Bulletin. The Open Research Bulletin is an open access, online publication dedicated to providing updates and insights on policies, guidelines, opportunities, and collaborative efforts across the diverse subfields of open research globally. We invite contributions from any researchers or practitioners with interests in open research, broadly defined.

To ensure clarity, uniformity, and the highest standards of quality, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Categories

Contributions may be submitted in the following formats:

  • Articles: These can take the form of summaries of current knowledge in a field, or analytical or interpretive essays (1,000-2,000 words).
  • News and Views: Succinct announcements about recent awards or upcoming events related to open research. Photographs (submitted as figures; see guidelines below) are encouraged for award and event announcements.

Submission process

  • Online submission: All manuscripts must be submitted through our online submission platform.
  • Format: Manuscripts should be submitted as Microsoft Word files (.doc/.docx) or similar.
  • File naming: Files should be named following this format: "CorrespondingAuthorName_ArticleTitle.docx."

General structure

Manuscripts should follow this structure:

  • Title page: Include article title, authors’ full names, affiliations, contact details of the corresponding author, and any funding sources or acknowledgments.
  • Keywords: 4-6 keywords that reflect the core content of the manuscript.
  • Main text
  • References: Use a consistent citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago or Harvard).

Formatting and style

  • Font: 12-point Times New Roman, double line-spaced throughout.
  • Headings: If headings are included for sub-sections, use a clear, hierarchical system formatted in italics.
  • Figures and tables: Up to two figures may accompany each Article. If figures are included, use high-resolution images (300 dpi) as separate files and indicate figure placement in the text. It is the author’s responsibility to request permission to reproduce any copyrighted material.
  • Tables: Up to one table may accompany each Article. If a table is included, indicate table placement in the text and directly embed within in the Word document near the text indication.
  • Abbreviations: Define abbreviations at first mention and use them consistently thereafter.
  • Language: Submissions should be written in English.
  • Offensive and exclusionary language: Care should be taken to avoid using offensive or exclusionary language. See relevant guides from Edinburgh University Press and the University of Bristol as a starting point; please contact us if you are unsure.

Ethical considerations

  • Originality: Submissions must be original and not under consideration elsewhere. Plagiarism checks will be conducted. Any and all use of generative AI must be disclosed at the point of submission; as a starting point, please consult Wiley's guidelines on disclosure and declaration of AI use.
  • Conflicts of interest: Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest.
  • Authorship: Ensure all listed authors have significantly contributed to the research and approve the final version.

Peer review

The Open Research Bulletin is a venue to share updates, examples, and best practice in open research; it is not a formally peer-reviewed journal.

  • Screening and review: Submissions undergo an assessment for scope, quality, and adherence to submission guidelines by the editorial team.
  • Revisions: Authors may be asked to revise based on comments from the editorial team. Revised manuscripts should be submitted with a brief response to editor feedback, if relevant.
    • An invitation for manuscript submission does not guarantee acceptance for publication if the focus, style, or overall quality of the writing is deemed to be inadequate. In cases where substantial editing is indicated, as determined by the editorial team, the submitting author(s) may be asked to seek editorial support before re-submitting.
  • Editorial support: The editorial team is available for support throughout the writing process if authors have questions about scope or content.
  • Decision: Final decisions (acceptance, minor/major revisions, or rejection) are made by the editorial team.

Copyright and licensing

  • Licensing: Authors retain copyright but agree to publish under a Creative Commons license (details provided post-acceptance).
  • Open Access: The Open Research Bulletin is open access; there are no processing or publication fees for contributing authors.

Supplementary material

  • Additional data: Authors may submit supplementary material (datasets, videos, etc.) that support their manuscript. If deemed appropriate and feasible, this material will be available online along with the main Bulletin contents.

Submission checklist

Before submitting, ensure that:

  • The manuscript adheres to formatting guidelines.
  • All co-authors are listed and their contributions are specified.
  • Figures, tables, and supplementary files are uploaded separately.

For any questions not covered on this page, or to let us know of any access needs, please contact us at open.research.bulletin@sussex.ac.uk.

 

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements.

  • The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
  • The submission file is in OpenOffice, Microsoft Word, or RTF document file format.
  • Where available, URLs for the references have been provided.
  • The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end.
  • The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.

Copyright Notice

Authors who publish with this bulletin agree to the following terms: 

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant ORB right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this bulletin. 
  1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the bulletin’s published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this bulletin. 
  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access). 

Privacy Statement

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The Open Research Bulletin is published by Open Press University of Sussex and hosted by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP). PKP's privacy policy is available here.